John Steffler now poet laureate

John Steffler, currently a scholar in residence teaching poetry workshops in Concordia’s Creative Writing program, has just been named Canada’s official poet.

The two-year appointment is officially called Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Steffler, who is currently retired and living in Montreal, is the third poet to hold this office.

Chair Marcie Frank said the whole English Department is delighted with the news.

“We are thrilled to have John Steffler with us as a scholar in residence for 2006-07. He is a wonderful poet as well as a gifted teacher of poetry. It is a great thing for the department, and for poetry in Canada.”

The poet laureate may compose poetry for use in Parliament on state occasions, sponsor poetry readings, advise the Parlia-mentary Librarian on the Library’s collection and acquisitions, and perform related duties at the request of the Speaker of the Senate or the House or the Parliamentary Librarian.

An award-winning poet and fiction writer, Steffler was chosen by a selection committee comprising the parliamentary librarian, commissioner of official languages (Graham Fraser, a former Gazette journalist), the director of the Canada Council for the Arts, and the head of the National Archives.

More information is available online at www.parl.gc.ca/poet. Next term the Journal hopes to publish an interview with Canada’s new poet laureate about his work.